Olds has been selected as one of the world's 21 smart communities from among about 400 applicants. And it's now in the running to make the top seven ñ maybe even the Intelligent Community of the Year for 2018.
That's the word from Mitch Thomson, executive director of the Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development.
The top 21 ñ and eventually the number one candidate -- are chosen by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), a New York-based group that promotes the use of new technologies for the betterment of communities around the world.
Thomson received word of Olds' selection late last month.
He says the Olds selection could mean great things for this community, because it will give Olds access to the best practices being undertaken by other communities around the globe.
"What it will really do for us going forward is each of the communities that are participating put forth their package, talk about how they use data and what they're doing to advance their community as an intelligent community," he says.
"It really does give us an opportunity to start looking at sister-like communities and look for new opportunities and to advance the community."
Thomson says the top seven will be named in February. The Intelligent Community of the Year will be named in June.
So in the tail end of this year, Thomson and groups like the Olds Institute's Connected Community committee will work on answering questions about Olds and its connectivity that will be contained in an application to come from the ICF.
"What they look at is whether we're using technology to advance the economic, social and cultural development of the community," he says.
"How are we moving the needle forward to create a more knowledgeable, intelligent community that uses technology wisely within our own space?
"And then they take it a step further. They want to know, what are you doing to advance the use of technology in your region, province or country? They're asking us questions on what are we doing to be more prosperous? In using our technology? In helping our citizens?"
Thomson says there are many ways Olds does that.
"Olds has been the poster child for a couple of years or more on the fact that we have the fastest internet in Canada," he notes.
He also points out that among other things, Olds has the cyber seniors program that helps seniors become familiar with new technology.
Olds is not the only Canadian community on the list. Other Alberta communities listed in the top 21 are St. Albert and Parkland County.
Other Canadian communities are Kelowna, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Pickering, Ont., Sarnia-Lambton County, Ont. and Western Valley, Nova Scotia.
Communities from around the world that made the grade include Hudson, Ohio, U.S.A., Adelaide, Australia, Chiayi City, Taiwan, and Issy les Moulineaux, France.
"What they look at is whether we're using technology to advance the economic, social and cultural development of the community."MITCH THOMSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OLDS INSTITUTE
